Now in its 40th season, FST continues to grow by staying focused on the its mission and remaining true to its founding principles: 1) To make theatre accessible and affordable to as many people as possible, 2) To present theatre that challenges with as much gusto as it entertains, 3) To create a public forum for the issues of our day that will foster positive change in our community and beyond, and 4) To operate within and for the public trust.

Impact Summary from the Nonprofit Florida Studio Theatre is a major cultural resource in the Gulf Coast region, serving more than 166,000 attendees per year through 6 main programs: Mainstage, Stage III, Cabaret, New Play Development, Education, and Touring. According to Theatre Communications Group, FST maintains the largest subscription base of any TCG theatre in Florida, and 5th largest in the nation. FST believes the arts are a vital part of human life and makes a concerted effort to provide affordable, quality programming that reflects the diversity of the world. FST achieves this by: maintaining a low-cost ticket policy, producing a body of new, challenging work (75 World Premieres, 88 Regional), providing scholarships for disabled and low-income children to attend Theatre School, and inspiring 55,000+ students a year to write plays. For the 4th year in a row, FST was ranked the #1 Professional Theatre by the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs for the General Operating Support Grant in 2013. FST continues to break previous sales records with an increase of 8% from last season. While many theatres face subscription attrition, FST's subscriptions grew by 20% in the past 2 years. The primary goal over the next 5 years will be to expand audiences while maintaining the artistic integrity and fiscal responsibility that is the core of FST's mission. In order to achieve this, FST renovated and expanded the Gompertz Theatre to accommodate demand and allow for further growth. In 2011, FST was awarded $500,000 by the Kresge Foundation for the New Gompertz Theatre. The renovation of the original theatre was complete in August 2012. The Hegner Theatre Wing was also built adjoining the Gompertz Theatre, which contains a second box office, new restrooms, The Green Room cafe, an artists' loft, a second cabaret and a lab theatre. FST opened a second cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret Theatre, in January 2013. The Bowne Lab Theatre will open bin January 2014.